Hilkiah the second, Tebaliah the third, Zechariah the fourth: all the sons and brethren of Hosah were thirteen.

1 CHRONICLES 26:11KJV
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1 Chronicles 26:11 (KJV)

What does 1 Chronicles 26:11 mean?

1 Chronicles 26:11 lists the names and order of Hosah’s sons—Hilkiah as the second, Tebaliah as the third, and Zechariah as the fourth—and states that Hosah had thirteen sons and relatives in total. This verse is part of a record detailing the organization of the gatekeepers in the temple.

The book of 1 Chronicles was written to document the genealogies and roles of Israel’s tribes, especially those serving in temple duties. In this verse, the chronicler is noting the descendants of Hosah, a gatekeeper from the Merari clan of Levites, and specifying their order and number. This information helped establish the structure and responsibilities for temple service in ancient Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Chronicles 26:11

  • "Sons" (בֵּן, ben): This word refers to male descendants, but in this context, it can also include close male relatives who served together, not just direct sons.
  • "Brethren" (אָח, ach): This term often means brothers, but here it can refer more broadly to kinsmen or fellow clan members serving in the same role.
  • "Thirteen" (שָׁלוֹשׁ, shalosh and עֶשֶׂר, eser): The Hebrew combines the words for "three" and "ten" to make "thirteen," emphasizing the exact count of Hosah’s family group involved in gatekeeping.

Why 1 Chronicles 26:11 matters

  • This verse clarifies the organization and careful record-keeping of those who served in the temple, showing that each family’s contribution was counted and valued.
  • By naming individuals and their order, the chronicler highlights the importance of lineage and duty among the Levites, reinforcing the legitimacy of their roles.
  • The verse connects to the broader passage by showing how temple service was a shared responsibility among extended families, not just a single line of descent.

Where else these words appear

“Hosah” Hebrew H2621 · used in 5 verses

  • Joshua 19:29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
  • 1 Chronicles 16:38 And Obededom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obededom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters:
  • 1 Chronicles 26:10 Also Hosah, of the children of Merari, had sons; Simri the chief,(for though he was not the firstborn, yet his father made him the chief;)

“Hilkiah” Hebrew H2518 · used in 31 verses

  • 2 Kings 18:18 And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which was over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.
  • 1 Chronicles 6:13 And Shallum begat Hilkiah, and Hilkiah begat Azariah,
  • Ezra 7:1 Now after these things, in the reign of Artaxerxes king of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah,

“Zechariah” Hebrew H2148 · used in 43 verses

  • 2 Kings 14:29 And Jeroboam slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Chronicles 27:21 Of the half tribe of Manasseh in Gilead, Iddo the son of Zechariah: of Benjamin, Jaasiel the son of Abner:
  • Ezra 8:16 Then sent I for Eliezer, for Ariel, for Shemaiah, and for Elnathan, and for Jarib, and for Elnathan, and for Nathan, and for Zechariah, and for Meshullam, chief men; also for Joiarib, and for Elnathan, men of understanding.

“fourth” Hebrew H7243 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 1:19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
  • 2 Samuel 3:4 And the fourth, Adonijah the son of Haggith; and the fifth, Shephatiah the son of Abital;
  • 1 Chronicles 27:7 The fourth captain for the fourth month was Asahel the brother of Joab, and Zebadiah his son after him: and in his course were twenty and four thousand.